HONORS STATISTICS – Ms. CampbellHopkinton High School

Email: kcampbell@hopkinton.k12.ma.usPhone: 508.497.9820 ext. 1167

OBJECTIVE

The purpose of this course is to introduce students to the major concepts and tools for collecting, analyzing, and drawing conclusions from data. Students are exposed to four broad themes: Exploring Data (describing patterns and departures from patterns), Sampling and Experimentation (planning and conducting a study), Anticipating Patterns (exploring random phenomena using probability and simulation), and Statistical Inference (estimating population parameters and testing hypotheses). Statistics is the art of thinking about a problem, showing the math of the statistics, and clearly communicating results. Communication of the results is just as important as accurate calculation of the results. As such, there will be a great deal of writing in this course

Statistics is a year long introductory, non-calculus-based, course designed for student who have successfully completed Algebra II. The course is considered a college-level math course and as such, will be more demanding so it is important that you come to each class prepared, ready to learn and having completed the homework.

MATERIALS

1. Textbook. Bock, Velleman, De Veaux. Stats: Modeling the World. 3st ed. Addison Wesley; 2004.

2. 3-Ring Binder. All class materials should be kept in a three-ring binder divided into three sections: Notes/Handouts, Homework, and Assessments/Tables. You must complete all homework on loose-leaf paper.

3. Graphing Calculator. Graphing calculators will be used extensively throughout this course. All students are required to have a graphing calculator for use in class and at home. We strongly recommend the TI-83+ or the TI-84. You should bring them to class each day. You may not share calculators during an assessment. So bring yours!

4. Pencil

5. Highlighter and colored pencils for emphasizing important materials.

TEACHING APPROACH

In a typical class we will thoroughly discuss the previous assignment, and then explore new concepts through lectures, discussions, labs, computer activities, or individual or group work. I expect you to participate actively in class, and especially expect you to ask lots of questions whenever you don’t fully understand an idea.

ASSESSMENTS

Tests will be given at the end of each unit, though occasionally more often. All tests will be announced a few days prior to the test date. There are no retakes – so study!

Investigative tasks are written assignments that require you to apply the major concepts of the chapter. Tasks are due at the beginning of the period on the day they are due.

Quizzes may be given on the notes, readings from the text, or homework problems. Quizzes will usually be announced in class, but not always depending on amount of material covered. For example: a homework quiz or notebook quiz worth 20 points will not always be announced.

Group projects will give you a chance to put into practice what you have learned thus far in the course. There will be several group projects in which you will collect and analyze your own data, while demonstrating your understanding of the major concepts of Statistics. More information will follow.

HOMEWORK/CLASSWORK/PARTICIPATION Homework provides practice for mastering skills and understanding concepts. It is very important that everyone

completes his or her own assignments so that each individual and the whole class functions as well as possible. Homework will be checked for effort and completion. Sometimes it will be collected, other times it will just be

checked in class, and sometimes it may not be graded at all. There may also be a “homework quiz” where I will ask you to record selected homework problems on a piece of paper to turn in.

Homework is due at the beginning of the period on the day it is due.  If you have chosen not to do your homework, there is no make-up for that assignment. Each assignment should be legible and completed on loose-leaf paper with a proper heading including name, date, page number and problems. I expect to see solving methods on all problems; answers alone are unacceptable and will not receive credit.

Classwork – may on occasion be collected for as a graded assignment. Participation – It is important to participate in your learning. I will keep track of volunteers in the class. You

will earn bonus points for volunteering.

Semester exam You will have a cumulative midterm exam and final exam that will each be worth 10% of your final grade.

GRADESYour grades will be based on a weighted percentage basis as follows:

Tests/Projects 45%Investigative Tasks/Quizzes 40-45%

Homework 10-15%

Extra Help Extra help is offered after school every Tuesday. I am also available many other days before and after school for any assistance you may require. Please check with me for any specific time you may desire.

ACADEMIC INTEGRITY It is expected that all the materials submitted for this course are the actual work of the individual whose name appears on the materials. Violations of this policy include but are not limited to cheating, plagiarism, copying answers and passing off as your own work, storing notes on a calculator, or any communication with another person other than the teacher during a test, quiz, or investigative task. Students in violation of this policy are subject to failure for that activity or the course.

General Overview 1. Come to class on time and prepared with all required materials listed above. On time is seated and

ready for class when the bell rings, not standing by the door waiting for the bell to ring.2. Have respect for me, yourself, your classmates, and the classroom.3. Be responsible for your learning and seek extra help when needed.4. You are responsible for work covered in your absence.5. No food, drinks, cosmetics, ipods, cell phones, hats etc….

Electronic Policy Ipods and cell phones are not allowed to be visible or used in class. I will take your Ipod or cell phone without warning if seen or heard during classtime. If there is a second offense, your parents will be notified. If there is a third offense, the device will go to the office and a detention will be issued.

Classroom Expectations

Attendance:. Students are expected to be in class every day. Outside appointments and other school business should be rescheduled for other times of the day. Missed classes result in missed material and will result in poor performance.

Absences: It is the student’s responsibility to make up any work from missed classes, including notes. You will be held responsible for the materials missed. If you are absent the day of a test, you will be expected to make arrangements to take the test within a day or two. Failure to do so will result in a zero for that test score. If you are absent the day before an announced test or quiz (but present when announced), you are still responsible for taking the quiz/test on the scheduled day.

Behavior: Students are expected to follow all classroom expectations as noted above and in the Student/Parent Handbook. Failure to do so will result in appropriate disciplinary action.

General Comment:

Please know that I am approachable, patient and eager to answer all your questions. Let me know if you have any needs that require accommodations. Do not hesitate to ask me to wait or slow down, to re-word an explanation or “interrupt” with a question. If you choose to hire a tutor, please continue to seek my assistance as well. It is important that we communicate...the more we talk, the better the class with work for everyone.

Dear Parents/Guardians,

Welcome to a new school year! I am looking forward to making this a productive and successful year for your student in Honors Statistics. I have provided a copy of the syllabus in order to answer some frequently asked questions about the class. Please contact me (preferably by email kcampbell@hopkinton.k12.ma.us) if you have any questions or concerns throughout the school year.

I have read and understood the syllabus. I agree to abide by your policies, expectations and procedures.

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Parent name (Please Print) _________________________________________________

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Phone and/or email to contact during the day:

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